Hi-- ive not posted on here for a while but have often commented or tried to answer any questions that others have asked. As some of you know, I am a self employed Chiropodist- and work in the community and have done for over 20 years. In the last couple of months my RD has been playing havoc with me- as advised by my consultant I took some time off work. I have never done this before or ever claimed benefits of any kind.
I have been told by the powers that be that I cannot claim SSP but if I am prepared to go in front of a medical tribunal I may be entitled to disability allowance for the weeks that I was off work!!! Thanks to prednisolone I am now back at work but am missing 3 weeks wages. Any advise would be appreciated as this doesn't seem right to me. Thanks-- "" rant over""" 😊
Written by
Jacki08
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I have no idea what disability allowance "they" are reffering to, but I think you need some good advice from the likes of your local Citizen's Advice Bureau, or your local Welfare Rights. If you have Welfare Rights Advice close to you, your local library or Local Council offices should know where and when you can access these advice sessions.
I hope you continue to be fit enough to work, but it might be worth exploring options for peace of mind. For a time I was well enough to work on a part-time self-employed basis, but at that time the benefits system appeared to know what to do with you if you were well enough to work full-time, or sick enough not to work at all. If your health was somewhere in between and variable the system appeared to be confused as to how to handle the situation.
If you were well enough to work at least 16 hours a week, but the system could be convinced your ability to work full-time was compromised by a disability, you could in the past, qualify for Disabled Persons Tax Credits. The rules for this, as for all benefits was complex. That was some time ago and lots of rules have changed under the current Government, but exploring your options might be helpful.
Figuring out the right work life balance with something like RA is complicated. My consultant repeatedly told me that if only I could get my stress levels down my RA might improve. When to push ourselves and when to make changes we do not want to make is never easy.
Aww thanks AARA---- I've just spoken to a guy from the assessment team--- and as I'm back working more than 16 hours a week -- I get nothing . If in the future I need any assistance """ please feel free to call back""". Situations like this stress me --- 😣
It must be infuriating. When your too ill to work, the last thing you think of is which benefit should I be finding out if I might qualify for. And then when you are well enough to ask about your entitlement, the answer in your case appears to be, well you have left it to late to apply.
I went to train and subsequently work at my local CAB because I wanted to help people. When my health collapsed in 2004 it was only because of what I had learnt at CAB that I have manged to keep the roof over my head for the last 13 years.
I did not train to learn how to make the benefit system work for me, but the 18 months or so when I was a volunteer have paid great dividends. What is it some folk say you can never truly give anything away.
of the top of my head as a self employed person your entitlement to dwp benefits is dependant on the national insurace you pay. If you have been paying class 4 your access is limited
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Big Day for me. Big Rant too.
Sorry folks big frustrated rant coming up !
Hot, red, painful.....and making me generally miserable 😢
CEV Rant 
Rant - Elbow RA/OA
